Christian Pulisic Faces New Challenges at Milan and with the US Team

At 28, Christian Pulisic finds himself in an unfamiliar position as younger players begin to take the high-pressure roles he once owned. Typically, the second weekend of October would mean Pulisic representing the US, proudly standing alongside teammates as the Star-Spangled Banner plays. Last year, he was busy in friendlies against Ecuador and Australia, but with FIFA shifting the October window to September, he missed out this time. Instead, he prepped for a Serie A match with the club anthem, O Generosa, and a thoughtful smile. Mark Twain famously described Italy as a “vast museum of magnificence and misery,” a phrase that perfectly encapsulates Pulisic’s journey with Milan over the past three years. The brilliance? An impressive tally of 43 goals and 28 assists in 138 matches. The downside? Just one trophy since his arrival in July 2023—the Supercoppa Italia, won in Saudi Arabia. Pulisic has long grappled with frustrations at the club level, often finding solace with the national team. However, Mauricio Pochettino has begun a new chapter at Milan, selecting a roster of young talent that notably excludes Pulisic, who is just returning from injury. His status with the national team is now more precarious than ever, over a decade after his debut. This season has not started as Pulisic would have hoped. A lower-leg microfracture suffered during the World Cup kept him sidelined, and he only made his first league start in mid-September. In a recent match against Sassuolo, he resumed his position as the right half-space winger, playing just behind Gonçalo Ramos. Despite his challenges, Pulisic still commands attention on the pitch. Sassuolo focused more on limiting his impact, often allowing Diego Moreira space instead. When Pulisic pushed into the final third, defenders converged, forcing him to pass to fellow US international Yunus Musah, who was stationed on the right side of midfield. Pulisic frequently dropped back to help his team gain numerical advantages, showcasing his work ethic by covering more ground than anyone else on the Milan side during the first half. However, his efforts didn’t translate into offensive success; he contributed to Milan’s lone goal but failed to generate any real scoring opportunities himself. As the match wore on, Pulisic’s solitary shot was blocked, and his one created chance was thwarted by the goalkeeper. His recent Serie A form has been underwhelming—he's managed either a goal or an assist in only four of his last 22 appearances. Having recently celebrated his 28th birthday, Pulisic is entering the veteran phase of his career. Teams now expect seasoned attackers to be consistent and prolific. A player who isn’t delivering at this stage might find himself pushed down the pecking order, especially with younger, more dynamic options emerging. Against Sassuolo, Pochettino made a notable substitution: Pulisic off, and in came Alpha Cissè. The 19-year-old has been a revelation since joining Milan, earning praise from Pochettino early on. In just a fraction of the minutes Pulisic has played, Cissè has already scored twice, while Pulisic has found the net only once. “I love Cissè. I love Cissè,” the coach remarked enthusiastically back in August. Despite these challenges, Pulisic still has support. Reports from Gazzetta dello Sport suggest he’s among the three key players Milan hopes to renew contracts with during this new era. He brings with him a solid past, having led the club with 17 goals across all competitions last season. “I’m very happy at Milan right now and looking forward to the future,” Pulisic stated at a recent event, standing in front of his name on a wall of jerseys. “Contract renewal isn’t on my mind; I just want to stay here.” Cissè’s rise reflects Pulisic’s shifting reality on the international stage as well. Pochettino is integrating younger talent into the national team, giving debuts to eager players like Cavan Sullivan, who made headlines with a stunning opener against Mexico. Others, including Mathis Albert and Zavier Gozo, are also stepping up, marking the start of their journeys with the US. Pulisic has faced his share of struggles while on international duty under Pochettino, scoring only once in 2025 and having a lackluster World Cup that didn’t do much to strengthen his case. Pochettino has been noncommittal about Pulisic’s future, leaving fans wondering about his role. It’s premature to count Pulisic out completely. He covers significant ground and can create threats with decisive touches, although he often seems uncertain about his next move. Transitioning from the main attacking force to a supporting role might actually make him more effective. With fresh talent like Sullivan eager to take the spotlight, Pulisic could embrace a lower-pressure role internationally. Sullivan has thrived under the pressure, while Folarin Balogun managed to carry the burden of being the primary goalscorer during the World Cup. Meanwhile, with Pulisic absent, Pochettino has begun to use Gio Reyna and Malik Tillman in positions that would normally be his, allowing Sullivan to emerge as a viable option from the bench. Pulisic’s entire career has been framed around being the focal point, but now he must adapt to a new reality.